NOTABLE PERFORMANCES FROM THE WEEKEND
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Elizabeth Leachman, Boerne Champion (TX): The spectacular sophomore campaign of Leachman continued on Saturday. The Texan clocked a new U.S. No. 1 time of 16:30.30 at the HOKA McNeil Invitational, a performance on the UIL state course.
Henok Hagos, Unattached (TX): Hagos took the gold race by surprise, slightly, winning in 15:16.10. It was an upset considering Austin Vandegrift's Hudson Haley was coming off a win at the Woodbridge XC Classic's rated race and pre-race predictions favored Haley. But Hagos isn't that big of a surprise, either. He ran 4:19 for 1,600m and 9:18 for 3,200m this past spring.
Ryan Pajak, Ringgold (PA) & Drew Griffith, Butler (PA): It's telling, perhaps, that the top two athletes in Pennsylvania this season ran identical times of 15:48 across two separate races on Saturday at the PIAA Foundation Invitational, a meet that essentially mimics the state championships on the state course. Pajak won the 2A race, while Griffith won the 3A race. It was a very promising sign from both runners. The course was described as muddy.
Byron Grevious, Phillips Exeter (NH) & Ruth White, Orono (ME): Two big performances out of the New Englanders on Saturday. Grevious, one of the nation's top ranked runners to begin the season, ran 15:03.6 at the Manchester Invitational. White, a Champs Sports Nationals qualifier last year, won the girls race in 17:20.7. That performance is a new career best for White.
Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer (MI): The Michigander has been on a tear to start 2023. She's broken 17 minutes on her last four races, including a new career best of 16:36.90 on Sept. 24 at the Jackson Invitational.
Allie Zealand, Pacers (VA): Zealand has begun her year with four straight wins, and this weekend won the hare & Hounds Invite in 17:14.
THE SCOOP:
Page 1: Latham, Stegall Earn Individual Titles At Wingfoot XC
Page 2: The Top 10 Marks at 5K and 3-Miles From The Weekend
Page 3: Deer Creek, Lucas Lovejoy Roll At Cowboy Jamboree
Page 5: Olympus Doubles Up At Bob Firman Invitational
Page 6: The Rodriguez Sisters Open Up In Washington
Page 7: Notable Performances From The Weekend